Biographical Sketch of James M. Fulkerson, M.D., Johnson County, Missouri
Columbus Township
>From "The History of Johnson County, Missouri,"
Kansas City Historical Co. 1881
JAMES M. FULKERSON, M.D.
The name that heads this sketch is well known throughout the county
as one among the earliest settlers. He was born in Lee valley, Lee
county, Virginia, on March 15, 1811. His parents were natives of
Virginia. His father moved to Tennessee after the battle of New
Orleans. The subject of this sketch lived with his parents in Tennessee,
till the year 1829 in Ray county, one mile from the Cherokee Nation. He
recollects the assembly of men at the treaty of the Hiawathy Purchase,
and was present at that treaty, and recollects Gen. Jackson and Gen.
Houston, and was only a boy at that time. He came with his parents to
this state in the year 1829, and drove a four-horse wagon from Tennessee
to Tabo Grove, Lafayette county, and went from there to St. Charles in
1834. He attended medical lectures at the medical college of Ohio, in
the city of Cincinnati, during the sessions of 1831 and 1832. He
settled in Columbus when it was the county seat of Johnson county. The
doctor tells an amusing story of the trial of one of the first criminal
cases. Having no jail to confine the prisoner, the court ordered the
sheriff to confine him in an old wagon box, which he did by turning the
box over him, and the jury proceeded to literally and judicially sit on
the case. After a short deliberation the jury acquitted the prisoner,
and the court, jury and prisoner adjourned to a large tree, near which
there was a fine spring of water, and there the assembled court and
citizens proceeded to refresh themselves after their judicial labors,
under the cooling shade of the trees, with a few gallons of good Bourbon
whiskey, and after the manner of ye early pioneer. He was married on
May 5, 1836, to Elisabeth C. Houx, daughter of one of the earliest
settlers of this county. They have had 10 children, six of whom are now
living. He has filled several offices in the county. He was appointed
commissioner in bankruptcy, and acted in that capacity for two or three
years. He represented the citizens of this county and district in the
state legislature during the years 1836, 1838 and 1840. He was also one
of the directors of the State Bank of Missouri for about 4 years.
Besides giving each of his children a tract of land, he owns at present
in the county about 2300 acres of fine land. His home is situated on a
high plat of table land, which affords a splendid view of the
surrounding country.
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